Art work was done by Keith Smith of Tuba City, Ariz.
Well-known Native American Artists Sign on for Diné College’s Virtual Art Auction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 10, 2020
TSAILE, Ariz. — Many people are looking for ways to help during the COVID-19 pandemic and that is true at Diné College.
The college will launch a fundraising webpage Nov. 11. Photos and descriptions of Native American art will be for sale during a virtual art auction. Also, on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m., the college will host a live art auction to be broadcast on the Diné College website. Following the auction, art items will be made available for purchase online with a debit or credit card until Dec. 2.
“Our goal is to raise funds for the Warrior Scholarship Fund,” Diné College Alumni and Development Specialist Adrian Lerma said. “The money raised during the fundraiser will benefit student scholarships and support their dreams of getting a college education.”
Lerma noted:
- A recent study conducted by the American Indian College Fund and Gallup, showed that most graduates of tribal colleges stay within their communities, and continue to utilize their knowledge and training to help meet the needs of their communities and tribe.
- Alumni of tribal colleges and universities are nearly two times more likely than their peers nationally to thrive in all elements of well-being.
- Seventy-four percent report being primarily employed in areas related to American Indian communities or tribal lands, and a lot work directly with their tribe.
- Scholarships sustain students who have children, who care for elderly parents or relatives, who need technological upgrades to help them adjust to changing learning environments amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diné College Director of Financial Aid Nolan Begaye said fundraisers are important in developing the funding levels of the Institution.
“The Warrior Scholarship is one scholarship offered by Diné College. When we raise money for our students, we are allowing the opportunity of alleviating some of the financial burden students have. A large percentage of our students rely solely on financial aid received during the semester. Their financial obligations include much more than tuition and fees, often including childcare, rent, or transportation. If we are able to offer more in scholarships, we are continuing to provide the opportunity of earning a four-year degree debt free. Scholarships contribute to a student’s success and retention.”
WHAT
2020 Fall Fundraiser: Virtual Art Auction and Show & Sale
THEME
“Through Beauty and Ingenuity – We Can Do It! Hó’zhóó dóó Siihasin B éé’ad étíí”
WHO
Art donors include: Shonto Begay, Bahe Whitethorne Sr., Tony Abeyta, Orlando Dugi, Marisa Mike, Nanibaa Beck, Marco Arviso, Duane Koyawena, Landis Bahe, Ricardo Cate, Douglas Miles, Louie Gong (among others).
HOW
Fundraiser participants can engage in the virtual art auction and show and sale on the Diné College website from Nov. 11 to Dec. 2.
Online. The webpage will launch on Nov. 11. Photos and descriptions of all art that will be available for purchase during the virtual art auction and show & sale will be available for visitors to the website to view. On the Nov. 18 at 6 p.m., the college will host a live art auction that will be broadcast on the Diné College website. Following the auction, all art items will be made available for purchase online until December 2nd.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Diné College is located in Tsaile, Arizona, and serves the 27,000-square-mile Navajo Nation. The school is one of 37 tribal colleges in the U.S. and offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and certificates.
Contacts:
Lead organizers of the Fall 2020 fundraiser:
Nonabah Sam nsam@dinecollege.edu (928)724-6981
Adrian Lerma alerma@dinecollege.edu (928)724-6672
